SpongeBob Adventures: In A Jam

- Reviewed on Mobile -

SpongeBob Adventures: In A Jam released on September 24th, 2023. 

This SpongeBob title developed by Whaleapp and published by Tilting Point is an enjoyable time waster for any and all players who also love the adorable underwater sponge!

Though it has the typical "pay to win" stigma about it, SpongeBob Adventures: In A Jam still offers a great experience for the casual mobile gamer who doesn't want to spend any real-world money. 

This review WILL have Major Spoilers so keep that in mind before continuing...

With a great developing team like Whaleapp, who I am familiar with, being one of the newest (as of writing this blog post) teams to tackle a SpongeBob project, I was extremely excited to see what Whaleapp had in store for such a griping franchise that I still enjoy playing as an adult.

SpongeBob Adventures: In A Jam is a free to play mobile game where (SPOILER) Planktons mishaps cause mayhem all around Bikini Bottom as usual with SpongeBob games. 

With the world covered in jam (hence the title of the game), you are tagged along with Patrick as you go through Bikini Bottom and all its popular destinations, cleaning up debris, completing quests, filling orders, and much, much more!

The big feature of SpongeBob Adventures: In A Jam (in my opinion) is that you can eventually (over time) create the Bikini Bottom of your dreams. 

As you level up, you unlock more items like shops, decorations, creatures, and fencing to place in your own Bikini Bottom. 

This part of the game is your fully customized experience, and one of the true selling points of the game.

Another selling point in SpongeBob Adventures: In A Jam is right in the name... the adventures!

When you're not busy growing food, decorating your Bikini Bottom, cleaning up debris, or even fulfilling the Alaskan Bull Worms' orders, you can take a visit to other locations in the game.

So far (as of writing this blog post) there are two chapters to the adventure aspect. 

Chapter One being SpongeBob's Last Jam and Chapter Two being The Fellowship of the Sponge, each chapter holding five separate locations you must complete in chronological order. 

Here's the catch though. As with everything that goes with this game, you must spend Energy. 

Energy can definitely be the turning point for most people (in a bad way). 

You only get 50 maximum Energy sources before you have to wait in real world time for it to recharge.

But don't fright! You can easily gather way more than 50 at a time to have real long game sessions. You can gather more by completing quests, playing the minigames, or even contributing to the various carts you (should) have in your Bikini Bottom. 

Cleaning debris (with Energy or Exploding Pies) will most likely be the biggest resource spender for your time in the game (as it is mine) but that is the enjoyment of it as SpongeBob Adventures: In A Jam is a game you must keep coming back to in order to progress, unlock, and further enhance your overall experience. 

Buying more Energy (or Coins) with in app purchases is available, but unlike some other mobile games, these real money purchases aren't required to play / enjoy the full game. 

You just need to have a little bit of patience. This isn't a game where you can finish the entire thing in one sitting like a console game would be. 

Revisiting after all your orders (like Krabby Patties from the Krusty Krab) are finished and crops are grown is fun! All your energy will be restored, and you can then decide what to do with them each time! Go on an adventure or clean / customize your Bikini Bottom? The choice is yours!

Now, there are some things even I don't like about SpongeBob Adventures: In A Jam unfortunately.

My biggest issue is with the Edit Mode in the game. 

The Edit Mode is so frustrating to use with its touch controls and even the fact you have to continuously drag pieces of your Bikini Bottom one at a time can result in you clicking the wrong piece (if you have big fingers like me or playing on a phone) and having to start all over. 

Also, buying and placing new items like roads is a nightmare at times with its automatic placing not where you want it and having to drag each new piece one at a time. 

Besides the Edit Mode, everything else in SpongeBob Adventures: In A Jam is quite relaxing and enjoyable.

There are quips to the series (and even movies) to laugh at and enjoy, avatar pictures to use, and even challenges with other real-world players for big rewards!

Using pets like Gary, Pete the Pet Rock, a Lion Fish, or even a Sea Bear can grant you rewards (like Energy) if you tag them along and / or also send them to Adventure Camp. 

Being a SpongeBob fan is a definite must for this mobile game. 

Unfortunately, the heavy dependence on Energy and its small supply in increments can definitely be a turn off for other gamers who want to try this game and aren't really fond of the yellow sponge himself.

Pros: 

    - SpongeBob Themed Music

    - Very Customizable 

    - Great Longevity

    - Fairly Consistent Deals

    - Lots of In-Game Features

    - Continuous Updates (as of writing this blog post)  

Cons:

    - Poorly Designed Edit Mode

    - Max Energy Limit (only 50)

My Rating for SpongeBob Adventures: In A Jam (on Mobile):

4 / 5

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Disclaimer

All Reviews, Ratings, Pros, Cons, and Opinions Shared on this Blog (Press A Reviews) are my (Connor Butler) own Thoughts and Feelings.